Posted on 07/06/2004 6:23:18 AM PDT by kristinn
A few members of the D.C. Chapter hit the road yesterday to visit the City of Brotherly Love and protest disgraced former president Bill Clinton at a book signing appearance at the National Constitution Center.
tgslTakoma, daughterofTgsl, Doctor Raoul and myself met outside the center around 11: 45 a.m. and took up a spot near the main entrance. It was a good vantage point in that it gave us plenty of opportunities to interact with tourists and also be seen from the second floor windows where the book signing took place. However, we were on the far side of the building where Clinton's fans were lined up to get in.
The Park Rangers gave us our location, but I think that was only because we inquired about where we could stand in front of the building rather than the side. Three of Philadelphia's finest kept a watchful eye on us, coming to Raoul's aid when one Clinton supporter got too aggresive in complaining about Raoul's presence.
The Secret Service checked us out several times. They were professional as always. Some of the agents were familiar with FReepers and our good natured protesting.
Early on, a small group of Lyndon LaRouche Democrats who were pushing his candidacy and protesting against Vice President Cheney were told to stand near us in our designated protest area. We maintained our distance, but boy were they annoying.
Not many tourists wanted to talk to them so they kept trying to talk to us. We repeatedly told them there was nothing for us to discuss. But they kept trying.....
In contrast, we had dozens and dozens of tourists who stopped to talk with us and photograph our signs--especially the one Raoul held.
Our signs were Raoul's "If Osama was a Piece of Ass, Clinton Would Have Nailed Him" (as seen on Scarborough Country), "Clinton/Gore Pardoned Terrorists, GW Bush Kills Them", "I Believe Juanita" b/w "Hillary Knew", and the "Clinton Legacy Checklist"
While the majority of responses were very positive, we had our fair share of f-words screamed at us by Clinton lovers.
Word got relayed to us that Clinton was running late supposedly because of bad flying weather out of New York. We didn't buy it and offered our own explanation with the chant, "He's late, he's late, he must have had a date."
Author Michael P. Tremoglie (Human Events, Front Page Mag, etc.) stopped by and talked with us for a few minutes.
Around 1 p.m., FReeper hinckley buzzard showed up with his three teenage daughters. They had been traveling home from visiting our nation's capital and made a detour to join us in freeping the creep. His kids took some signs and joined right in.
While I was explaining one of the reasons for our traveling to Philadelphia for this--the beating of Clinton protesters Don and Teri Adams at the hands (and feet) of Teamsters outside a Democrat fundraiser in Philadelphia in September, 1998--who should appear but our dear friend Don Adams!
Don was in the area on personal business and stopped by to visit with us for awhile. We had a good time talking with him. He asked that his greetings and thanks be passed on to all his friends on FR.
We finished around 2:30. The book signing was taking forever because in addition to starting late, an audience Q&A moderated by The Washington Post's E.J. Dionne took place at the beginning of the event.
Thanks, basil. Photos coming this evening...
Photos coming this evening...
Great job.
As usual.
Note to self: Coordinate with DC Chapter for vacation in DC this Fall, before the election. Do the tourist thing with the kids, meet these stalwarts, and do a Freep with them.
The "Crime Wave" poster was outside the Politics & Prose bookstore where Bill Clinton met his adoring fans and signed copies of his book. It will make an encore appearance at tomorrow's booksigning in DC at Barnes and Noble.
I was taking a break sitting on a bench near the shade when three women stopped next to me. They seemed to be friends and one woman and her daughter were sharing their cell phone with the third. The daughter was holding her right hand to her cheek gushing that she wasn't going to wash that hand ever again. They gave me an evil look when I offered a little advice. I said, "I'd wash my hand right away -- you don't don't know where that hand has been and what he's been doing with it. (Well, it's true.) The third woman swiftly turned towards me and said, "You must be a Bush lover." She must have seen the button on my shoulder -- "DOES BILL CLINTON STILL FOOL YOU?"
Thanks for your kind words. The DC Chapter, backed up by a contingent of enthusiastic and well-informed college students, will be out on the streets of DC again tomorrow to continue to educate the masses and remind them of Clinton's real accomplishments during eight years in the White House.
DC Chapter Road Trip! Yeah!
From Dave Davies article, "SEEN & HEARD AT SIGNING - Ed Rendell disses John Edwards, and other noteworthy moments" ...
(SNIP)
The Philadelphia Daily News printed this online and in their print edition. UNEDITED.
La Rouchies getting checked out by NPS ranger
Adoring media awaits the arrival (late, as usual) of x42
"Pipe & Drape" being installed across windows. Dave Davies, of the Philadelphia Daily News could read our signs from across the plaza well enough that he declared the "If Osama..." sign was the "most creative."
Kristinn giving a history lesson to the teenagers.
Doctor Raoul, Hinckley Buzzard meet Don as he was walking by
This is the famous sign, seen and saved on computers worldwide!
BTTT
Oh, Kristinn left out one important thing in his after action report...
After we had packed up our signs and grabbed some water ice from a vendor, the good doctor of Freepology treated me, Kristinn and daughteroftgsl to the best Cheesesteak I've had in years; but we had to leave Philly to get it. If you're ever in Cherry Hill, NJ, stop in at Big John's.
It was a surprise and a pleasure to see Don. Hadn't seen each other in a long time.
Next time we'll go to the soft pretzel factory.
Too late now. Scarborough had it on his show and the Daily News reported it today. And it's all over Google that way. Took many people have it linked under that varient.
It's never too late.
That would be less vulgar and we just couldn't have THAT.
Have fun. I will be lounging by the pool.....
Angelwood--nice to hear from you. Thank you for preserving the "Crime Wave" poster, and also giving it a shake for me.
Amazing how Bubba is still "fooling" people. You actually were giving those girls sage advice--even the Philly Health Dept. would agree with you--and they're a bunch of Democrats!.
In my best Roy Rogers voice, "Happy Freeps to you,until we meet again."
BIG grin :) I always look forward to the FReep reports out of the DC chapter. Priceless!
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